The ZIS-12 was a Soviet medium-duty truck of the ZIS works, a lengthened modification of the ZIS-5. It was developed for the Red Army, which needed a chassis for anti-aircraft guns and other military equipment.
ZIS-12 at a glance
| Maker | Zavod Imeni Stalina (ZIS), Moscow |
|---|---|
| Production | 1934–autumn 1941 |
| Based on | ZIS-5, with a lengthened chassis |
| Designed for | the Red Army |
| Built | 4,223 |
| Export version | ZIS-14 |
| Typical equipment | 72-K anti-aircraft gun, Z-15-4 searchlight station, ZT-2 sound detector |
| Designer | Ye. I. Vazhinsky |
| In games | War Thunder and Steel Division 2 |
Based on one source (Russian Wikipedia); there is no English article.
History of the ZIS-12
The lengthened modification of the ZIS-5 was developed under the designer Ye. I. Vazhinsky on the order of the Red Army, which needed a chassis for various weapons and military equipment. Among the installations planned for the ZIS-12 were the 72-K anti-aircraft gun, the Z-15-4 anti-aircraft searchlight station and the ZT-2 sound-detecting installation.
Production of the ZIS-12 began in 1934 and continued until the autumn of 1941. A total of 4,223 vehicles were built. The export version of the truck was called the ZIS-14.
The ZIS-12 in games
The ZIS-12 fitted with the twin 25 mm 94-KM anti-aircraft mount appears in the online game War Thunder as a Tier II self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle. It also appears in Steel Division 2 as mobile air defence for some Soviet units, including certain guards cavalry corps.
Design and features
- Longer chassis: the ZIS-5 chassis was lengthened to carry weapons and military equipment.
- Red Army specification: the project was ordered by the military and designed under Ye. I. Vazhinsky.
- Weapons platform: the truck could carry the 72-K anti-aircraft gun, the Z-15-4 searchlight station and the ZT-2 sound detector.
- Export variant: a version designated ZIS-14 was offered for export.
ZIS-12 versions
- ZIS-12 (1934–1941): the standard long-wheelbase truck, 4,223 built.
- ZIS-14: export modification.
- Anti-aircraft installations: vehicles equipped with the 72-K gun and other military equipment.
The ZIS-12 was based on the ZIS-5 truck, and its chassis was also used for the ZIS-8 bus. More vehicles are in the ZIS collection.
Sources
- ЗИС-12, Russian Wikipedia: history, production, export version and use
